'Impossible to score against him in training' - Udinese chief explains why Okoye started v Cremonese

Udinese group technical director Gianluca Nani has shed light on the decision to restore Maduka Okoye to the starting line-up for Monday evening's Serie A encounter against US Cremonese.

The Nigeria international had been unavailable for selection during Udinese's opening eight matches of the season across all competitions as he served a two-month suspension.

In Okoye's absence, former Romania U21 international Razvan Sava rose up the goalkeeping ranks, featuring in the club's first six Serie A fixtures of the new campaign.

Despite being inactive at club level for roughly five months, Okoye showed no signs of rust on his return. 

His commanding performance between the sticks proved decisive in ensuring Udinese avoided defeat.

After Nicolò Zaniolo cancelled out Filippo Terracciano's early strike, Jamie Vardy was presented with a golden opportunity to put Cremonese ahead, only to be denied from close range by the Super Eagles goalkeeper.

Explaining the rationale behind Okoye's selection, Nani revealed that the Nigerian had been in outstanding form during training in the build-up to the fixture.

"Okoye has trained really well in recent weeks; it was almost impossible to score against him in training," Nani told DAZN, via Tutto Udinese.  

"We're really happy he's back because he's our starting goalkeeper and there were never any doubts. But I want to thank whoever replaced him, who did very well."

Okoye's assured display will not have gone unnoticed by Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, who is expected to announce his squad in the coming days for next month's crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon.

The former Watford shot-stopper earned his first appearance under Chelle in a friendly against Russia in June 2025.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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